Back to the Future: Searching for the Next Big Thing

I make no secret of the fact that I yearn for a truly epic Tour de France parcours. Every year I eagerly await that week in October when the route is announced and every year my hopes are dashed. Of course, any follower of @velowire will have had a fair idea of what the now … Continue reading →

1999 – 2003 The Asterisk Years (Part One)

1999 THE TOUR OF RENEWAL It is the summer of 1999 and my American friend and I are by the roadside in a small French town just outside Poitiers. The road leads straight through town and out and whoever rides it fastest will win the last time trial of the 1999 Tour de France. My … Continue reading →

1996 – 1998 The James Bond Tours: Suspend Your Disbelief

1996 THE DEFEAT OF THE LORD AND MASTER  This is truly the Tour of Rubbing Your Nose In It – Mr 60% stood on the top step of the podium, his dauphin was Jan ‘disco biscuits’ Ullrich and rounding out the dopers deluxe podium was Richard ‘cry baby’ Virenque. Honours were even in the other competitions between … Continue reading →

1986 – 1989 The Greatest Tours Ever?

1986 HAND IN HAND Greg Lemond’s hands. I can’t stop staring at them. They’re just across the table from me, nursing a glass. I’m struck by his strong workmanlike fingers. Those hands that gripped the handlebars as he climbed Alpe d’Huez with Hinault. The hand that gripped the Badger’s hand as they crossed the line … Continue reading →

1981 – 1985 Age & Guile v Youth & Skill

1981 HINAULT ENCORE “This happened on the morning of the  depart from Mans. Maurice Champion, Guimard’s second in command, took me to one side and showed me a letter and asked me what I thought about it. It was a few words addressed to Bernard Hinault. Moving words from a mother about her son who … Continue reading →

1975 – 1980 Enter The Badger

1975 LES NOUVEAUTES “Au soleil, sous la pluie A midi ou a minuit Il y a tout ce que vous voulez aux Champs-Elysees” Joe Dassin “Les Champs Elysees“ It’s one of the most iconic finishes in all sport – the ribbon of riders diving down the underpass and emerging onto the cobbles of the grand … Continue reading →

1961-1967 From Triumph to Tragedy

1961 RETURN OF THE MASTER It was over before it began, really. Jacques Anquetil had been saying since the winter “I’m going to win the Tour de France” and he did, wearing the Maillot Jaune from the first day to the last – though Andre Darrigade wore it in the morning of the 25 June, winning stage … Continue reading →

1935 – 1939 Les Tricolores d’Autres Sorts

1935 A LUCKY ACCIDENT – AND A FATAL ONE It was over on the first day. 60 kms from the finish in Lille, Romain Maes – ‘the rubber ball’ as Desgrange described him – sprang away from the peloton with all force, energy and willpower he could muster and drove his advantage all the way … Continue reading →

1930 – 1934 Allez les Bleus!

1930 LES BLEUS TRIUMPHANT After 6 years of hurt – and slim pickings since 1911 – the French finally hit a purple patch and took the next 5 Tours on the trot with Leducq, Magne and Speicher. A new generation of riders had finally emerged and the average age of the winner fell from 32 … Continue reading →

1923-1929 Beyond the Hexagon

1923 ENFIN PELISSIER! And finally it was Henri de France – the man that Desgrange declared would never win the Tour and with whom he enjoyed a love/hate relationship – who made Desgrange eat his words and carried off the first French victory since 1911. But it’s not the victor we’re here to honour, but … Continue reading →